After being tricked into going to prison by my husband in his stead, the maid took my place as his wife

“It’s Christly vengeance,” Neil said, his voice smooth as he held the car door.

“Blood shall answer blood.”

He handed me the tablet. The screen glowed, showing a lavish party already in progress. “The Sue family hosts a birthday banquet today,” he explained. “They’re crowning Lin Maja as queen of Jing Hai.”

The name felt like acid on my tongue. Maja. The maid. The woman who had been my shadow for two decades, only to reveal herself as the snake that poisoned my entire life.

“This crown,” Neil continued, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror, “belongs to you.”
He scrolled.
“Reportedly, the Sue family prepared three gifts for your release. Care to guess?”

I leaned back against the plush leather. The comfort felt alien after five years of a stone cot.

“Nothing good, I bet.”

“First,” he said, “a razor. To shave your head and force you into monastic life. Five years of penance for the crime you didn’t commit.”

I traced the phoenix pin on my chest.

“Go on.”

“Second, a ten-thousand-word confession. They expect you to memorize it and recite it flawlessly on stage tonight, proving your ‘virtue’ and ‘rehabilitation.’”

“Lastly, a contract for Star Manner. The sole property you left for your biological daughter, Zyu. They want you to sign it over to Maja.”

“They dare steal it,” I whispered. The rage was a cold, solid thing inside me. Not hot, not blinding, but a precise, sharp weapon. That villa was the only thing I had managed to protect for Zyu, the only child of my blood.

“What a pack of ungrateful wolves,” Neil mused.

“So,” I said, looking at the glittering building approaching.

“My arrival is just that woman’s spectacle.”

“Well, then,” I straightened my crimson dress.

“If they prepared three gifts, I’ll return three surprises. Let’s go. It’s time to greet my aranged husband.”

As we pulled up, I saw them. My daughter, Zyu, and her husband, Xi Hong. They were arguing with a security guard.

“Excuse me!” Zyu was saying, her voice strained. “An inmate named Yinglan was released today. Where is she?”

“She’s already left,” the guard said dismissively.

“Gone?” Zyu’s face crumpled.

“Xi Hong, do you think something happened to Mom? She’s been in prison for five years. She never wanted to see me.”

My heart ached. I had refused her visits. I couldn’t let her see me in that place, broken and gray.

“It’s okay,” Xi Hong said, pulling her close.

“She probably felt guilty toward you. That’s why she avoided you. Today’s the Sue family’s birthday banquet. She must be there. Damn Sue family… they made my mother suffer for five years.”

“Honey,” Zyu wept, “you must get justice for us.”

“Don’t worry,” he promised her.

“A minor family like the Sues is nothing to me.”

I stayed in the shadows of the car, letting them go inside first. My fight was not theirs. Not yet.

I walked through the grand entrance alone. The whispers started instantly.

“Today’s a big day for the Sue family.”

“Indeed. The Sue daughters are so accomplished.”

“Their matriarch has become the queen of Jinghai. Impressive.”

I moved through the crowd, a ghost in a blood-red dress. I found her custom gown, the one she’d had made for her “coronation,” and I had put it on. It fit perfectly.

I walked directly to the center of the room, where my husband, Su Hayan, was fawning over Lin Maja.

“Who is that woman?” someone muttered.

“Why is she wearing the matriarch’s gown?”

Maja saw me first. Her face went white. Then, her two eldest daughters, Hansang and Jene—the girls I had raised—gasped.

“Who let you wear this outfit?” Hansang shrieked.

I smiled.

“What’s wrong? Does my outfit offend your eyes?”

Su Hayan, my husband of twenty-eight years, finally turned. He was adjusting Maja’s earring, his fingers lingering on her neck. He looked ridiculous.

“Darling,” Maja simpered, grabbing his arm.

“Darling, look. How do you like my new custom dress?”

A woman next to them tsked.

“Sir, this gown must be very expensive. The matriarch doesn’t control the finances now. Dressing this lavishly seems… at your age. Dressing like this is absolutely inappropriate.”

“Take it off,” Hayan hissed at me.

“It looks better on you,” Maja said to him, oblivious to me.

“There are people around.”

“It’s fine,” he murmured, kissing her cheek.

“Naughty. Naughty. So annoying.”

“Yinglan!” Jene, my lawyer step-daughter, snapped.

“Stop being so shameless. You know today’s Maja’s birthday banquet. Must you steal the spotlight? Go home and change clothes.”

I turned to the crowd, raising my voice.

“Everyone, don’t you wonder who I really am?”

“Master Sue,” an old business partner asked, “who is she really? Could she be your secret mistress?”

I laughed.

“I’m Yushiman,” I announced, my voice carrying across the stunned silence.

“Lawfully married to Su Hayan. The rightful matriarch of the Sue family.”

“What?”

“Then the one enshrined…?”

“Her?” I jerked my chin toward Maja.

“She’s just the housemaid.”

A collective gasp swept the room.

“Good heavens. She’s the Sue family’s maid!”

“Yinglan!” Maja screamed, her face purple with rage.

“Are you humiliating me on purpose?”

“Humiliating you?” I took a step toward her.

“You dare throw grand parties for a maid, but you can’t face reality? Our family is atoning for your sins.”

“You’re the Sue family stain!” Jene yelled.

“Stain, understand?”

“Could she be the one?” someone whispered.

“When the news broke, we only heard someone from the Sues was jailed. Never imagined it was their matriarch.”

“Now you’re satisfied,” Hayan growled, his face dark.

“Now everyone knows the Sues have a convicted criminal. Utter humiliation.”

“As expected,” Maja sneered, recovering her composure.

“My pride matters more than my life. It’s insignificant.”

“It’s just serving time,” I said with a shrug.

“Not even a death sentence. Stop being dramatic.”

“Enough!” Hayan shouted.

“I see her little scheme. Throwing tantrums to get our attention, wanting us to give her a chance to fit in.” He nodded to Maja, who smiled triumphantly.

“I’ve prepared three gifts for you, Yinglan,” Maja said, her voice dripping with false sympathy.

“Agree and accept them, and I’ll grant you this chance.”

“Coincidentally,” I said, “I have three surprises ready for you, too.”

Maja ignored me.

“The first one.” A servant brought a microphone and a thick stack of papers.

“I commissioned a ten-thousand-word apology letter. You’ll kneel and recite it, at full volume. This is your atonement for past crimes.”

The crowd murmured.

“Reciting 10,000 words? That’s ruthless.”

“Five years in prison wasn’t enough?”

“Still want me to start now?” I asked, feigning confusion.

“Are you sure about this timing? Dad,” I said to Hayan, “Aunt Lynn’s birthday matters, doesn’t it?”

“Fine,” he snapped.

“Recite it at home then. Second gift!”

A servant brought a silver tray. On it was an electric razor.

“Shave your head bald,” Maja commanded.

“Immediately. And become a nun. Five years of monastic life before returning. Atone for my suffering. Rehabilitate yourself.”

“Public confession. Shaved head,” someone muttered.

“This Maja… she’s just a maid. A lowly servant deserving such sacrifice?”

“And the third,” Maja said, her eyes glittering with victory.

“Third. Give your villa, Star Manner, to me as compensation. Only then will we forgive you.”

That’s the only thing I gave my daughter.

I remembered the day I signed it over to Zyu, years before the frame-up.

“Shingan,” Hayan had said, “my daughters are spoiled. Marry me if you wish. But send your daughter away.”

“Hayan, we’re a blended family. Your daughters matter. Mine do too. She’s my flesh and blood.” “Well, refusing…?”

“Mom,” little Zyu had said, pulling on my sleeve.

“I’ll go. We saved your life. I don’t blame you. When I grow up, I’ll protect you properly.” I had failed her. I failed her so badly.

“Zyu, I failed you. I’m despicable. I’ll transfer the properties to you. Grow up well and in my old age, I’ll atone properly.”

These three “gifts” weren’t gifts. They were three daggers, aimed straight at my heart.

“All three of you never cease to amaze,” I said, my voice cold.

“Too bad. I’ll do none of these.”

“Defying me?” Hayan roared.

“I give you 100,000 monthly and you refuse these tasks for Maja’s birthday? Ungrateful!”

“100,000?” I laughed. A real, sharp laugh.

“I get a hundred bucks a month. What did you say?”

The room went silent.

“Impossible!” he sputtered.

“I promised you three surprises,” I said, turning to the crowd.

“Here’s the first one.” I pointed to Maja.

“Ask her. Ask her what my real monthly allowance is.”

“Maja?” Hayan looked confused.

“My monthly allowance. You still haven’t given it to me.”

Maja paled. “Look here. Take it.” She fumbled in her purse and threw a single 100-yuan note at my feet.

“The family head says that’s all we’re giving.”

“One hundred yuan monthly allowance,” I said to the shocked guests.

“This is ridiculous. Is this how the Sue family matriarch lives? The Sue family is worth billions, yet their matriarch lives like this.”

“This is unbelievable.”

“Doesn’t anyone think this maid is overstepping her bounds?”

“How could this happen?” Hayan looked panicked. “Dad, you let Aunt Lynn manage her funds?” Jene asked.

“I… I’ve been swamped with work. Let Maja handle it. Where’s the finance manager? Come here!”

A terrified man in a suit scurried forward.

“Mr. Sue, you explain this.”

“I… I trust Maja,” the manager stammered.

“She wouldn’t do that.”

“Mr. Sue,” the manager said, his voice trembling,

“Lin Maja receives 1.1 million yuan monthly. One million as salary… and 100,000 yuan was the matriarch’s allowance.”

“A maid gets 1 million a month and steals 100,000 from the matriarch!”

“What can 100 yuan even cover? Living on bread and pickles daily.”

“Enough!” Maja shrieked, desperate.

“Even if that’s true, it doesn’t excuse you hitting someone with a car! No wonder your jealousy and resentment drove you to this! That’s why you did it! How vicious!”

“If I hit someone,” I said, turning to Hayan’s brother, my second brother-in-law.

“Years ago, I personally gave you the surveillance footage. Who cut the brake lines? You know perfectly well.”

“What are you implying?” he stammered.

“You didn’t know?” I said to Hayan.

“I gave her that footage. If she presented it as evidence for me, I’d have been acquitted. But your precious daughter,” I looked at Jene, “testified against me.”

“Suji, is this true?” Hayan whispered.

“Hayan, leave me alone! Don’t punish the children!” Maja suddenly cried, throwing herself to the ground. “Madam, all these years I was wrong. I overstepped my position. Punish me! But spare the family head and the children!

About the allowance… it’s my fault! I thought as matriarch, living in a mansion, enjoying luxurious feasts… I kept the money instead. If you want it, I’ll give it back now!”

“Living in a mansion? Luxurious feasts?” I sneered.

“When have I ever had that? Take it back. I won’t touch your dirty money.”

“Ma, it hurts!” Jene suddenly cried out, rushing to Maja’s side.

“Are you hurt? Did you fall hard?”

“Yinglan!” Hansang yelled.

“You knew Aunt Lynn is disabled! Why’d you shove so hard?”

“Miss Sue, you’re making things up,” I said, not moving a muscle.

“I never even touched her. She threw herself down. Your whole family keeps framing me. Is this your new hobby?”

“You… dozens of witnesses saw everything! Am I blind? Or are you three blind?” Jene shot back.

“Exactly,” a voice from the crowd said.

“No contact at all. She clearly faked that fall. We all saw it.”

“Enough!” Maja sobbed.

“It’s my fault. This is all on me. My useless leg is causing trouble. I’m burdening everyone. All of you, stop talking!”

“Aunt Lynn,” Jene said, her voice full of fake sympathy, “do you realize how hard we worked for Aunt Lynn’s gift? We donated half the Sue fortune to Crimson Phoenix Group just for this inauguration chance.”

“Shingan,” Hansang added, “must you argue with a disabled person? Maja’s inauguration is starting. Your little stunt ruins her reputation.”

“Disabled?” I said. I walked over to where Maja was cowering on the floor.

“You’re insulting actual disabled people.”

“You… What are you doing?” she shrieked as I grabbed the lapel of her dress.

“She’s not disabled,” I announced to the room.

“She’s faking it. Here’s my second gift for you all.”

With one hard yank, I pulled her to her feet. She stood there, perfectly balanced, her “useless” legs strong beneath her.

“Nia… how’s your leg?” Hayan stammered, his eyes wide.

“Why don’t I know?” Jene said, confused.

“If I say she was always pretending,” I said, “you won’t believe it, will you?”

“Auntie Lynn’s leg… it’s… it’s ready, isn’t it?” Zeun, the youngest, finally spoke.

“I… I wanted to surprise everyone.”

“That’s good,” Hansang recovered quickly.

“It’s all destroyed by you. Right. That is… your heart is dark. Only then can I think Lynn’s legs are installed.”

“Nausea,” I muttered.

“You guys are really sophistry.”

I looked at the three girls I had raised.

“Su Hansang. Su Jene. Su Zeun. I am your mother. She’s just a nanny. Why do you protect her in everything? I’m here today for one purpose. I just want to know. She’s a nanny. Why can the Sue family love and protect her… and I deserve to fall into hell?”

“Yinglan, what the hell do you want?” Hayan growled.

“Since I’m out of prison… just be your mother. I still love you. Listen to me. Let’s go.”

“You are less hypocritical,” Jene sneered.

“I… Yinglan… voluntary renunciation of the identity of the mother,” I stammered, the pain finally hitting me.

“You…”

“This husband,” I looked at Hayan, “I don’t want him anymore. This mother… I also inappropriate.”

“Ye Shinglan! You can think about it!”

“Growing rubbish… still need to think?” I pulled the heavy emblem of the Sue family matriarch from my pocket.

“This is the emblem of your Sue family. I haven’t used it once. Now, give it back to you.” I threw it at his feet.

“And this.” I pulled out our marriage certificate.

“Twenty-eight years. Green silk becomes white hair. I will feed my youth to the dog.” I tore it in half. “Now, also give it back to you.”

“Shingan! Do you have to get everyone off the stage?”

“Mom,” Hansang said, her voice cold.

“You have raised us for more than twenty years. We’ve been very patient with you. Don’t be shameless.”

“What if I said… I had to have a result.”

“See, Cloud, forget it,” Maja said, stepping forward.

“It’s all my fault. I’m just a nanny. I don’t deserve the queen’s crown. I’ll walk. I’ll walk. It’s her who should go.”

“Now things… there’s no need to hide,” Hayan said, pulling Maja back. He looked at me, his eyes dead.

“Since you don’t want to face… want answers. Ye Shingan, this is the answer. Do you understand? Maja… is actually my three daughters’ biological mother.”

The world stopped. Biological… mother. My twenty years. My twenty years of raising them, holding them, loving them… It was all a lie. I was just the unpaid nanny.

“This answer,” I said, my voice shaking, “are you satisfied?”

“Satisfied,” Hayan said. “Satisfied.”

“Su Hayan!” a woman in the crowd shouted. “Didn’t you say your ex-wife died? I married you. Take care of your little one. Take these kids. Raising adults. They become the Sue family. Your ex-wife is back. You tell me. Then what am I?”

“Master mother,” Hayan said, turning to Maja, “it’s all my fault. All these years… you worked hard to help me. Taking care of children for twenty years. They also raised them. So excellent. I am grateful to you.”

“Mom, we’re your own,” Jene said, hugging Maja.

“After all, she’s the outsider.”

“I forbid you say so to yourself!” Maja cried.

“It is! We have her. I’ve done my best. Keep it from her. Is to make her feel… her in the heart. All right. Now, not even the family has to do. You better get out of here!”

“Don’t say that,” Hayan said, putting an arm around me. A cold, dismissive touch. “Shingan is so old. She goes out. What can you… I’m afraid. Even feed myself. It’s all a problem. Or… you come back to the Sue family. Be a nanny.”

Be. A. Nanny.

“Kill the heart,” I whispered.

“Nanny superior. Master mother. Change. Nanny. Kill.”

“Thank you very much for coming,” the emcee said, trying to regain control.

“The queen of Jinghai is a symbol of honor. Represents Koko. Wisdom. Tough. is the entire Jing Hai women. An example of learning. Now it begins.”

“Wait a minute,” Maja whispered to Hayan.

“I’ll clean you up again.”

They were going to crown her. Right in front of me.

“Next. Please call the queen. Debut.”

“Ningon,” Maja whispered as she passed me, “What do you take to argue with? Everything you have is mine… and I will get more.”

“Mom, don’t hurry up to the seat. Dad is still waiting for you. Wearing a laurel. Quick.”

“Mom Laurel, it’s mine,” Maja giggled.

“You,” I said, grabbing her arm.

“What are you going to do?”

“Is your own. Don’t be in the position of the mother of the house. Now it’s a fart. Sit up. Want to be rich? Why did you go early? Get down here and make a mistake. Honestly, welcome Maya, my Sue family. Give you a chance to change your ways. Admit your mistake.”

“It’s not me who should be mistaken,” I said.

“But you. You. And you.”

“Mad woman!” Hayan yelled.

“Family law of the Sue family. You are afraid to forget it.”

“Forget? I will not forget to die.”

“Maja works hard,” Hayan announced.

“In order not to hurt your face. Be willing to be a nanny. And she’s so good. Now… you are no longer worthy of the Sue family.”

“That’s just right,” I said.

“I didn’t say that earlier. The mother of the Sue family. I don’t want to be. Come on, Su Hayen. I’ve been with you Sue family. Out of relationship.”

“You were born to the Sue family,” he declared.

“Death is also a ghost of the Sue family.”

“I… in the end… still looking forward to what? It’s pathetic. As expected, no one wants to be alone.”

“Who said no one wanted her?”

A new voice cut through the hall. Clear, strong, and furious. The crowd parted. My daughter, Zyu, walked through. Beside her, her husband, Xi Hong.

“You don’t want me,” Zyu said, her eyes blazing as she looked at the Sue family.

“And where did you come from, Medley?”

“I’m a lawyer!” Jene snapped.

“Believe it or not, I’m suing you!”

“How do you hit people?” Xi Hong said, calmly stepping in front of Jene.

“Do you dare to hit me?” Jene shrieked.

“Jiao, husband, smelly woman. You’re crazy.”

“Say,” Xi Hong said, his voice dropping to a dangerous level, “who’s a stinky woman?”

“I said, who is a stinky woman?”

“I… I am,” Jene stammered, terrified.

“It’s good to know,” Xi Hong said.

“Roll.”

“Mom.” Zyu ran to me, her eyes full of tears.

“Zyu. I thought I… I never… I can’t see you anymore.”

“Zyu, it’s mom. I’m sorry. Mother is ashamed of you.”

Zyu dropped to her knees in front of me.

“Mom, I want to give you three kowtows.” She touched her head to the floor.

“One kowtow. You gave birth to me. I want to thank you for your birth.” She bowed again.

“Two kowtows. You introduced me. Know my husband. This is the grace of marriage.” She bowed a third time.

“Three kowtows. You taught me the truth of being a man. This is the grace of moral education. I don’t care about them. How can I recognize my mother everywhere outside… in my here? I only recognize you as a mother.”

“Who recognizes mom everywhere?” Hansang sneered.

Zyu stood up, her face a mask of fury.

“This tone. My daughter went out for you today. My mom worked for your Sue family selflessly. She toiled like a slave for over twenty years. Not only are you ungrateful, but you framed her and sent her to prison for five years!

Now, you’ve brought her here to humiliate her, to shame her, to slander her. Tell me, don’t you deserve a beating?”

The crowd erupted.

“I’ve cared for the Sue family for twenty-plus years, and someone stole my reward. Who would put up with that?”

“The thing is, they even sent her to prison. No gratitude, just evil deeds. It’s disgusting.”

“The queen title ghost, a little cutie. We don’t accept it. No way!”

“Enough!” Jene shouted.

“My mom entered the Sue family. As a nanny, she worked her way up. Yet Yinglan abused her position as the mistress. Repeatedly beat and verbally abused my mom. Who’s the green TV asterisk? Tch… who’s disgusting. It’s obvious.”

“Really?” Zyu shot back. “You’re all so busy. Always out of sight. Did you see it yourselves or just hear about it?”

“My mom told me herself,” Hansang said. “Why would she lie?”

“So, you didn’t see it yourself?” Zyu said.

“Then why do you accuse a woman who raised you? You call her mom. Lin Maja gave birth but didn’t raise you. What kind of mother is that? She was out enjoying herself. Who did your laundry and cooked for you? Who raised you? Who? Answer me!”

Hansang was silent.

“It was you, Shingan,” she finally whispered.

“Even a dog knows gratitude after twenty years,” Zyu said, her voice breaking.

“You’re worse than dogs.”

“All right,” Hayan said, stepping in.

“We did neglect her feelings. Since Shinglan married into the Sue family… all these years, she’s worked hard. In my daughter’s hearts, Shinglan has always been our family. She insisted on causing trouble. What could we do?”

“Causing trouble?” Zyu was incredulous.

“I ask you, when has she ever caused trouble? Was it when you punished her with family law and beat her black and blue? Did she cause trouble then? Or when she only had 100 yuan a month for living expenses and she had to eat moldy bread because she was starving? Did she cause trouble then? Or maybe… when she was sent to prison by her own daughter and spent five years in prison, did she cause trouble then?”

Zyu pointed at Jene.

“No, she didn’t. She accepted it. Because she knew that way, her daughter could become famous. Sujin, am I right or am I wrong?”

Jene couldn’t look at her.

“Five years,” Zyu said, tears streaming down her face.

“Try being locked up for five years. All of you know her suffering, but everyone tells her to be kind. Why? How sad. What a pity. It’s laughable. She’s causing trouble. I think she should have done this sooner.”

“Zyu,” I said, “don’t waste your breath on them.”

“I’m not causing trouble,” Zyu said.

“This position was always mine.”

“Well, aren’t you a sharp-tongued girl,” Hayan said.

“Yinglan, as long as you break off your relationship with her, I’ll waive those three conditions. When we get home, I’ll make it up to you. Okay.”

He wanted me to cut ties with my own daughter. My only daughter.

“You’ve got it all planned out, haven’t you?” Zyu sneered.

“Two moms. Does that mean Su Hayun gets two wives? Then let me ask you, who’s the first wife and who’s the second?”

“That’s going too far!” Hansang yelled.

“We’ve already lowered ourselves enough. What more do you want? If you leave the Sue family, your life of luxury is over. You’ll be at the very bottom of society.”

“Luxury?” Zyu laughed.

“What does that have to do with my mom? Did you provide that for her? Today is Lin Maja’s birthday. Then let me ask you, what date is my mom’s birthday?”

Silence.

“What day and month is it?” Zyu pressed.

“What number was it again… Oh, I remember. May 8th,” Jene said.

Zyu’s face was stone.

“What are you laughing at?”

“May 8th,” Zyu said, “is your pet dog’s birthday.”

“I… I remembered it wrong,” Jene stammered.

“So, what date is your birthday then?” Hansang snapped.

“It’s always you celebrating our birthdays… we can’t remember everything. Besides, every year we ask if you want to celebrate, and you always say no. Now you’re blaming us.”

“My mom’s birthday,” Zyu said, her voice shaking with rage, “is also today.”

More silence.

“So,” Zyu continued, “did you prepare any gifts for her?”

“I… I prepared a downtown villa,” Hansang said quickly.

“This is what I prepared. A top-of-the-line Ferrari,” Jene added. “An artist luxury necklace,” Zeun whispered.

“Are you sure?” Zyu asked.

“These are for my mom.”

“It’s Lin Maja’s birthday,” Hansang said.

“You’re giving her so many gifts, but my mom gets nothing. You’re such close family.”

“You can’t say that… this…” Maja said.

“Oh dear, didn’t Shingan just get out of prison. Besides, I’m the queen of laurels. This sort of thing would never be for her. How about… I make it up to big sister? Hayan, we have another car. The one I’ve been driving for five years… an old Shiial. Why don’t I give it to Big sister?”

“Okay,” Hayan said. “As long as you admit your mistake and take off the Queen of Laurel’s crown, I’ll give it to you. Let you show off a bit.”

“You’re giving Lin Maja gifts worth millions… and I get an old Shelly,” I said.

“Stop being so sarcastic,” Jene said.

“You must be Zyrai, aren’t you his daughter, too? Then let me ask you, what gifts did you prepare for her? Probably just a necklace from a street store. Maybe earrings from the dollar store.”

“Of course, I have a gift prepared,” Zyu said, smiling for the first time.

“Since you don’t care for her… someone will bring the gift.”

On cue, the main doors opened. “A triple birthday gift wishing you good fortune, happiness, and health!” a man in livery announced.

“A custom Rolls-Royce!”

“Ten kilograms of pure gold!”

“And the Sky Dome Manor!”

The gifts were rolled in, shining under the lights. The crowd went wild.

“Oh my god. So extravagant.”

“This Yinglan’s daughter. What’s her background?”

“Mom,” Zyu said, taking my hand.

“This is just a small part of the gift I prepared for you. I have more gifts to give you later. Also, if I had known you had suffered so much, I should have brought you home sooner.”

“It’s not your fault,” I told her, my heart full.

“It’s my own blindness and ignorance. But now I’m awake. And I won’t raise kids for others. This child… it’s always better to have your own. Others can’t be raised properly.”

“Okay, stop acting,” Hansang snapped.

“Should I give you two an Oscar award? Ye Zyu, you were originally from the bottom. How could you possibly hook… some rich guy?”

“So, you’re saying all these things are fake, too?” Zyu said.

“Mom, didn’t I say I had more gifts for you? You came in covered in dirt, and I want you to leave clean. Money is just an external thing. Innocence is the most important. The best gift for my mom is innocence. I’ve already called the police. The wrongful case from five years ago should be settled.”

The doors opened again, this time revealing two uniformed police officers.

“Who called the police?” Hayan panicked.

“We received a report,” the officer said, “and are now reinvestigating a traffic accident from five years ago. Please cooperate. Miss Yi, five years ago, you drove your car into Miss Lynn, causing paralysis in both legs. Is this true?”

“Yinglan, you better watch your mouth,” Hayan hissed.

“It’s true,” I said.

“Glad you know what’s good for you,” Jene smirked.

“But,” I continued, “it’s because someone cut the brake lines, causing the brakes to fail.”

“Yinglan, do you have any evidence?” Jene scoffed.

“If she had evidence, she would have handed it over five years ago.”

“Five years ago? You did destroy the video evidence,” I said.

“But don’t forget, there were also witnesses.”

“Officer,” Zeun, my youngest, my baby, stepped forward.

“I am a witness.”

My heart stopped. Zeun.

“Zeun,” I whispered.

“Auntie,” she said, not looking at me.

“Even you call her auntie.”

Flashback: “One stroke, one press. And this character, it reads friend. When Zeun grows up, be a good person.” “Mom, you’re the only one who loves me. When Zeun grows up, I’ll take care of you.”

“Auntie,” Zeun said to the officer, her voice clear and cold, “stop playing the family card. This is a society of law. That day, she drove me to school. On the way, I saw Aunt Lynn… who was still our nanny. She flawed the gas pedal. Her eyes were full of jealousy. She kept saying she’d kill Aunt Lynn. Am I right, Auntie?”

“Suzun!” Zyu screamed.

“You’re crazy! How did my mom treat you? I remember so well. Anything delicious… she gave it all to you. Of the two sisters, she felt deepest for you. You’re breaking her heart!”

“Third sister,” I said, my voice dead.

“Are you sure I said that? The reason I didn’t attend the trial… is because if I testified, you wouldn’t just serve five years. It would be ten.”

“I should thank you then,” I said flatly.

“Auntie. Jealousy has changed you.”

“Stop it!” Hayan shouted.

“The truth is the truth!”

“The truth is that Suzun is lying,” I said.

“Suzun, I’ll give you one last chance. What really happened that day? Tell the police the truth.”

“What do you want me to say?” she whispered, tears in her eyes, but she held her ground.

“Fine. Very good.” I reached into my purse.

“I said before I’d give you three surprises. The first two surprises you’ve already experienced. The last surprise… is coming soon.”

I pulled out a small USB drive.

“Heaven is watching. The video on this drive proves my innocence.”

“This is impossible!” Maja shrieked.

“That video is gone!”

“Who said it’s from the car?” I smiled.

“This video shows who cut the brake lines. Lin Maja. Dare to watch it?”

“This… this is impossible,” she stammered.

“She’s bluffing! Yes, that’s it.”

“Take care of it,” I told the officer, handing him the drive. He plugged it into a laptop, and the feed appeared on the main projector screen.

The video was grainy, from a neighbor’s security camera. It showed the driveway. It showed a woman, in the dead of night, hunched over the front wheel of my car.

“Wait,” Hayan’s brother said.

“Never mind. I cut the brake lines.”

“You did?” I asked.

“Yes. If… if someone has to step up to quell my sister’s resentment, then let it be. My sister spent five years in jail. She must be bitter. So let me take the fall.”

“Yinglan,” Hayan said, “look at this. Majou is doing this much. Are you even human?”

“Mom asked her to investigate. She orchestrated everything back then,” Jene whispered.

“What? You think we all owe you something?” Hansang said.

“Monk, don’t throw mud on yourself,” I said to my brother-in-law.

“What we did, we did. What we didn’t, we didn’t.”

“Investigate!” Maja suddenly screamed.

“Investigate! Find out the truth! I hope you won’t cry!”

“Can’t you see?” I said.

“Who is that in the video? Zoom in. See clearly who it is.”

“I see it!” Hansang yelled.

“Yinglan! It’s definitely Yishinglan! Auntie, isn’t that your dress?”

“What? What do you have to say?” Hayan advanced on me.

“The dress?” I said.

“Don’t you know that my clothes… are all worn by a nanny?”

“Auntie,” Zeun said, “even now you have no remorse. I’m so disappointed in you.”

“First, see clearly who’s in the video,” I said.

“Then talk to me about disappointment.”

The officer zoomed in. The woman’s face was clear in the grainy light. It wasn’t me. It was Maja.

“What?” Hansang choked.

“It’s Na… You. How is that possible?”

“Mom!” Jene grabbed Maja’s arm.

“You’re the victim back then! You cried and begged me to defend you! How could you? Mom, you staged it all… and pretended to be disabled!”

“No!” Maja shrieked, falling to the floor.

“Don’t! Hayan, I don’t want to go to jail! I’m the queen of Jing Hai! Hayan, save me!”

“Auntie,” Zeun said, her face pale, “today… we did frame you. But today is the Jinghai Queen ceremony. Aunt Lynn is about to become the most powerful woman in Jing Hai. You’re the most useless one in the family. What’s wrong with you suffering a little? Why reveal the truth?”

“Because I’m not her mother,” I said, the words tearing out of me.

“I’ve raised you three for twenty years. Twenty years! So you frame me. I accept it. You counter-sue me. I accept it. You play deaf and mute. I still accept it. But who is she? What is she worth? As expected… in your eyes, blood is more important than nurture. Willing to sacrifice anyone for her.”

“The evidence is conclusive,” the officer said, snapping handcuffs on Maja.

“Lin Maja, you’re suspected of frame-up. We’re formally arresting you.”

“No! Please! Honey! I did it for the family! I did it for this family!”

“Wait a minute!” Jene shouted.

“Captain Lou! Yinglan is the victim here. We are willing to do anything to get the victim’s forgiveness.”

“Yes,” Hansang pleaded, “as long as mom doesn’t go to jail, we’ll do anything. We’re willing to reconcile.”

“Honey! Hayan!” Maja screamed as she was dragged away.

Hayan turned to her, his face grim.

“Mom, you really went too far this time. Stay in jail for now and reflect on your actions. When you get out, we’ll love you again.”

“Honey! Aene! Zeun! Don’t go!”

“Miss E,” the officer said to me, “the choice is yours.”

“Okay,” I said.

“You guys go back first. I’ll decide later whether or not to sue her.”

“Oh no,” Jene said, “it’s them. Those few, they should be guilty of harboring, too.”

“Based on the current evidence,” the officer said, looking at Hayan and his daughters, “these people are indeed suspected of harboring. Once confirmed, they will all be punished. Let’s go.”

As the police left, Hayan dropped to his knees in front of me.

“Shinglan, I was wrong. I’ve wronged you. Punish me however you want, but leave the child alone. Don’t take it out on Hyun.”

“Do you think if you kneel… act to play the victim, I’ll forgive you?”

“No… no… that’s not what I meant.”

“Do you also think… if you put on this act… and if I don’t back down, all these guests will think I’m being unreasonable, then gang up on me?”

“So… what are you saying?”

“Exactly what I mean,” I said.

“Shinglan,” Jene said, also kneeling.

“I was wrong. I deserve this. I’ll take the punishment. If torturing me makes you feel better, go ahead and do it.”

“Gladly,” I said, kicking her shoulder.

“You’re going too far, woman!” she yelped.

“You’re the one who said to let me torture you,” I said.

“Well? Satisfied? Feeling good? Kneel.”

“What?” Hayan stood up.

“You dare make me kneel?”

“Captain Lou…” I mused.

“Fine. You’ve got nerve,” Hayan growled. He pulled out a checkbook.

“This is a five-million-dollar check. For the sake of our marriage, drop the lawsuit and we’re even.”

“Five million?” I laughed.

“My monthly allowance is just 100 bucks. How many lifetimes to earn five million? Exactly. Money solves everything. I’m already humbling myself. Let’s skip the kneeling act.”

“You… five million… to buy your meal,” I said, “Shinglan, stop joking.”

“Do you think I came here to play games with you?”

“Mom,” Hansang said, kneeling with Jene.

“If you’re doing this because you resent us and got my mom jailed… then today we three sisters will apologize to you and beg for mercy.”

Even Zeun knelt.

“How flexible you are,” I said.

“Back then, no one begged for my mercy. Fine. Show me your sincerity. If I’m satisfied… we can negotiate. Kneel down.”

“She raised you for twenty years,” Zyu said to the sisters, “yet you got her imprisoned. Are you even human?”

“I’m the head of this family,” Hayan said.

“Why should I kneel?”

“You juniors should kneel and apologize for appearance’s sake,” Zyu’s husband, Xi Hong, said.

“Years of marriage mean nothing to you. You heartless jerk. You’re the one who should be kneeling,” I said to Hayan.

“Why did you crawl back?” he snarled.

“Our decent home is now in shambles because of you. Kneel down now and apologize to Shinglan!”

“Have you all gone mad?” Maja’s brother yelled.

“Silence!” Hayan snapped.

“Can’t you see what’s urgent? Just go through the motions for now.”

Hayan knelt. The entire Sue family was kneeling before me.

“Auntie, see,” Jene said, “is our sincerity sufficient?”

“Satisfied?” I said.

“Not a chance.”

“You… Yinglan! You’re playing us!”

“What if I am?” I said.

“Your family deceived me for eighteen years. One payback… spare.”

“Dad,” Jene said, “I told you she wouldn’t easily forgive us.”

“Fine, Shinglan,” Hayan said, standing up. His face was twisted in a cruel smile.

“Since you reject decency entirely, I’ll oblige. You know why I said you’ll always be bound to the Sue family, alive or dead? Because slaving for us is your duty.”

He pulled a folded, yellowed document from his breast pocket.

“Let all see this woman’s true wretchedness. This is…”

“What’s this?”

“Proof of our love. Sign it. Let me read.”

He unfolded it. It wasn’t a marriage certificate.

“Marriage agreement,” a guest read over his shoulder.

“See for yourselves. You made me sign an… indentured servitude contract?”

It was true. Twenty-eight years ago, desperate and alone, I had signed my life away. I wasn’t his wife. I was his property.

“Black on white, crystal clear,” Hayan gloated.

“Out of past affection, I tolerate it repeatedly. You spurn mercy, yet block Maja’s ascension. Shinglan, let me make this clear. You’ll never break free from the Sue family. You’re nothing but a lap dog… groveling at our feet for eternity.”

“So,” Maja said, reappearing from a side room, no longer in custody.

“This is your backup plan. All these years… I was never the legitimate lady of the house.”

“Splendid,” I said.

“This works perfectly.”

“Yishing sold herself out and remains clueless.”

“So… she was just a glorified nanny.”

“What’s wrong?” Maja sneered, walking up to me.

“Can’t beat me, can you? An adopted mut will never outshine my bloodline. Does that sting? Shut your mouth. Here’s another truth bomb. Su Hayan’s ‘rescue’ of you… was my scheme all along. You’re just my fallback option. A modern woman like me won’t play housewife. Your perfect marriage… just me keeping a maid around as my personal servant.”

She laughed. A high, mocking sound.

I snapped. I grabbed her by the throat.

“Lin Maja, if you’re tired of living, just say the word. I’d be happy to end you right now.”

“Husband!” she choked.

“Save me! This ex-con is trying to kill me!”

“Violence solves nothing,” Hayan said, pulling me off her.

“Heartless, you say?” I said, straightening my dress.

“Fine, then. I’ll drop the lawsuit. Withdraw all charges.”

“Finally came to your senses,” Hayan smirked.

“Pathetic. Should have used the contract earlier.”

“Oh, I’m clear now,” I said.

“Crystal clear. Putting you scum in jail isn’t enough. Not nearly enough. I’ll crush you completely. Using my status. I’ll grind you into permanent regret and shame. This suffering will be a thousand times worse than any prison.”

“Your status?” Maja laughed.

“Exactly. My status then. The Sue family traded half its fortune for… why should it be yours? What do you have? A street vendor daughter? And these counterfeits?” She kicked the gold Zyu had given me.

“Disdainful laugh… pathetic offerings. The Hook Corporation air… arrived shortly. appointed by Blood Phoenix Consortium. If you want to die, stay right there.”

“Young Master Xi Hong,” Hayan said, bowing to my son-in-law.

“Rumor says Hua Corp joined Blood Phoenix. Alliance with them means the Sue family ascends to greatness. This is our golden chance…”

“Why are you laughing?” Jene asked Xi Hong.

“I laugh at your ignorance,” he replied.

“CEO Hua has arrived!” the emcee announced.

“Looks like it’s a good day,” Xi Hong said loudly.

“So lively. Still sitting tight, huh? What a showoff.”

“Strange. Why is mom so calm?” Zyu whispered.

“Could it be… she knows her son-in-law is the young master of the Hua group?”

“That can’t be.”

“Young master,” Hayan said, “our witness, you’re too late. You can’t just watch and let the queen of Jinghai be bullied.”

“Yeah, you must vindicate the queen.”

“Vindicate,” Xi Hong said.

“Not bad. Vindicate.” He walked over to Zyu.

“Yu, this is young master… What are you doing? Hugging and embracing. How indecent.”

“As expected,” Hansang sneered.

“Like mother, like daughter.”

“Ah,” Xi Hong said.

“Say that again. I dare you.”

“President Hua, you… oops. President Hua… misunderstanding. It’s a misunderstanding.”

“This queen of Jinghai banquet,” Hayan said, “is a once-in-a-century event. Unexpectedly, this Yizeru brought her mother to make trouble. And this Yinglan… impersonating the queen, causing this real queen,” he pointed to Maja, “to suffer a lot. You must stand up.”

“Wait,” Xi Hong said.

“Real queen? You?”

“Yes. Did I say something wrong?” Maja simpered.

“Wife?” Xi Hong looked at Zyu.

“This old woman wreaking of stench… so debased… she dares to wear the queen’s crown.”

“What?” Maja gasped.

“As for the queen of Jing Hai,” Xi Hong announced, “there is only one. That is… Yishing Lan.”

My name. He said my name.

“Yinglan is the queen of Jinghai?”

“No. No. She’s the queen. Then what am I?” Maja shrieked.

“Husband, you promised!”

“Get out,” Xi Hong said to her.

“Even now, you still don’t understand. It was supposed to be yours, but not anymore.”

“No, it’s mine! It must be mine!”

“President Hua, there must be some mistake,” Hayan pleaded.

“A mistake? So what? Is it you who’s not convinced? Or the Sue family?”

“I’m not convinced,” Maja yelled.

“Not convinced? Suck it up.”

Xi Hong walked to me and bowed deeply.

“Son-in-law greets the mother-in-law. Welcome the Blood Phoenix back to her place.” Behind him, a dozen men in black suits appeared and bowed in unison.

“Welcome the Blood Phoenix home!”

“Welcome the Blood Phoenix!”

This… this wasn’t a friendly gathering.

“Now that it’s settled,” I said, “let’s go.”

“Oh, right,” Xi Hong said. “I forgot to tell the Sue family. The lawsuit is withdrawn. It’s the most regrettable decision you’ll ever make. Get up.”

“Dad, what are we going to do?” Jene whispered as I walked out.

“Half of the family fortune is gone… and all the credit went to Yinglan. We’re in big trouble.”

“What are you waiting for? Go after her! The queen of Jinghai must be a Sue! Hurry!”

I went to the villa Zyu had given me. The Sky Dome Manor… no, Thompson Riviera. The Sue family had given it to Hayan. Neil met me there.

“How is it going?”

“Half of the Sue family’s assets have been tallied,” he said.

“It also includes the villa you gave to Su Hayan. What should we do with it?”

“I’ll stay there tonight,” I said.

“Have someone clean it up. I don’t want to see any traces of the Sue family.”

“Understood.”

“Mom,” Zyu said, “what’s the plan now?”

“Change clothes. Go back to the Sue… and take back what’s ours.”

“Mom, this is your car. Get in.”

As we pulled out, a car screeched around the corner and slammed into our new Rolls-Royce. It was the Sue family.

“I want to see who dares to hit my car!” Hansang yelled, getting out.

“It really is you guys. You followed us here. Yinglan, you’re really persistent… knowing we’re going home. You eagerly followed us. Do you think if you pretend to be the queen of Jinghai, our whole family has to cuddle you?”

“Pretend,” I said.

“Mom,” Zeun said, “I admit in the banquet hall earlier, I was wrong. But now everyone’s angry. It’s not a good time for you to go back. How about this? Near the university city. I’ll rent you a small apartment. What do you think?”

“Little girl,” I said, “who are you? Do I know you?”

“Mom, you’ve been exposed now,” Hansang laughed.

“Auntie Ye, don’t think you can get ahead by marrying. Well, if we make one to the Blood Phoenix group, then even Master Hua can’t protect you, right?”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.

“You guys should just mind your own business. Here. Rear end. Your fault. I’ll call the police.”

“Enough!” Hayan shouted.

“You’re addicted to calling the police. As expected, you snagged a rich husband, but you’re still poor at heart. You just want money, right? Name your price.”

“This car is worth 10 million,” I said.

“Repairs will be at least 1 million. Pay up.”

“One million?” Jene scoffed. “This beat-up car is worth 10 million? I bet you rented it from somewhere to scam us. Yinglan, I’m telling you, don’t even think about getting a cent from me today.”

“Fine,” Hayan said. “That’s how it should be. Let her know that playing these games will backfire.”

“You… Shinglan… what are you doing?” Hayan asked as I got a tire iron from my trunk.

“Can’t afford to pay, right? Then I’ll smash it. I’ll vent my anger.” I brought the iron down on their headlight. CRASH.

“Don’t smash it!” Jene screamed.

“Dad, I bought this car for 600,000!” CRASH. “Stop this! Crazy woman!”

“Yinglan, stop acting crazy!” Hayan yelled.

“Honuan loves this car. If you dare smash it, Honuan will never forgive you.”

“Haha,” I laughed, smashing the windshield. “Do I need your forgiveness? Ah, pay your debts. This car of yours, brand new, is only 600,000. If I smash it to pieces… you’ll still owe me 400,000.”

“So what now, Mom?” Zyu asked. “That’s assault. Settle this privately. pay 100,000.” “Oh, or exactly 400,000,” I said. “That Su Hansang as the eldest sister is the loudest. That’s right. Raised you for over 20 years. Collect some interest. Isn’t too much to ask, right?” “Then we’ll start with you.”

“Ah, Dad!” Hansang yelped. “Okay, I’ll pay,” Hayan sighed, transferring the money. “Smells like money. Thank you, CEO Sue. Excuse me.”

We drove to the Thompson Riviera villa. It was magnificent. Neil had already had it cleaned and filled with gifts. “Aen Jade and Lingi longevity gift are ready.”

“Paddock Philippe watch is here.” “Coral treasure tree has arrived.”

“Authentic Mona Lisa smile painting is secured.”

These were gifts from the Blood Phoenix Consortium, to welcome me. “Madam,” a guard said, “this person was lurking outside. We suspect she’s a thief.” They dragged in Maja.

“Yinglan. So, it’s you,” she spat.

“This is my home,” I said. “You’re the thief. This villa rightfully belongs to my mother. Who’s the real thief? It’s obvious, isn’t it?”

“Throw her out,” I told the guards.

“Get this eyesore out of here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You! Wait!”

Just then, the Sue family car pulled up.

“What’s going on here?” Hayan demanded.

“She’s a thief who broke into the villa,” the housekeeper said, pointing at Maja.

“The housekeeper ordered us to sack her and throw her out.”

“Could it be… second sister?” Zeun asked.

“Is that auntie ye?” Hansang said.

They thought I was Maja. They thought Maja was me.

“Didn’t you hear the guards?” Jene said.

“She’s a thief… daring to steal from the Sue family villa. She needs to be taught a lesson, right, father?”

“Indeed,” Hayan said, glaring at the woman he thought was me.

“She deserves proper discipline. She even tried to hit me earlier.”

“Yinglan,” Maja screamed. “Did you think I wouldn’t recognize you?”

“Wait, don’t forget me,” Hayan said to Maja (thinking she was me).

“I’ve endured enough humiliation today. Even petty thieves dare provoke the Sue family. Why are you standing there? Bring the disciplinary whip.”

“Second sister,” Zeun whispered, “you’re a lawyer. How can you do this? You know very well who’s in there.”

“Silence,” Jene snapped.

“I know nothing. I only seek justice for my mother.”

“Yinglan,” Hayan sneered at Maja.

“Never expected karma to strike so fast. Now you’re at my mercy. Father, as head of the family, you should deliver justice.”

Zyu and I watched from the upstairs window.

“I never imagined the entire Sue family harbors such deep hatred for you,” Zyu said.

“Let’s watch their show unfold,” I replied.

“Their cruelty towards me will mirror what they do to her. This is Lin Maja’s retribution.”

CRACK. Hayan whipped Maja across the back.

“Where’s your arrogance now? Cat got your tongue? I warned you. You’d pay the price.” CRACK.

“Enough,” Jene finally said.

“That’s enough lashes. More could kill her.”

“Finally vented my anger,” Hayan panted. “Throw Yinglan out. Three days kneeling before re-entry.”

The guards put Maja in a burlap sack and threw her onto the lawn.

“Were you calling for me?” I asked, walking out onto the porch.

They froze.

“You… How are you here?” Hayan stammered.

“I’m not here. Where else could I be? Don’t tell me you thought I was the one in that sack.”

“Then who’s in the sack?” Jene whispered.

A muffled scream came from the sack. “You heartless jerks! How dare you hit Su Hayun! Are you trying to kill me? Maja! What are you doing here?”

They stared in horror as Maja crawled out, her back bleeding. “Why are you all standing around? Help me up this instant! Quick, take her to the bedroom for treatment.”

“Yinglan,” Hayan growled, “get your ass to the living room. I’ll deal with you later.”

“Enough,” Jene said. “Yingan did this on purpose. I won’t let her get away with this.”

They stormed into my living room, Maja included.

“This room looks different from before,” Hayan noted, seeing the priceless gifts.

“You had it redecorated, didn’t you? This is way too extravagant.”

“This wasn’t my doing,” Maja said. “I know,” Hayan said.

“Hingan did this. We left her waiting in the living room, and she’s scared of losing us. That’s why she set all this up. Still playing tough, but secretly trying to please us with all these gifts. Pathetic attempt to win us over.”

“Slap our faces, then offer dates,” Jene sneered. “Haun, don’t let her off easy.”

“Come on, Maja,” Hayan said. “Pick whatever you like as my birthday gift to you. The rest of you, too. Take what you want.”

“This emerald necklace is perfect for someone of my status,” Maja cooed.

“Dad, since she’s being cooperative, maybe give her another chance to return to the Sue family,” Zeun suggested.

“Little sister, what’s wrong with you?” Hansang snapped.

“Why keep defending that woman? Don’t call her mom. Call her auntie Yei.”

“Here’s the deal,” Hayan announced.

“Unless every property under Yizu’s name is transferred to Hyun. Ying wants nothing but our family dog. I’m not bragging, but she’d give me her daughter’s fortune or even her own life without hesitation.”

“This must be the priciest gift,” Jene said, pointing to the canvas covered by a red cloth. She ripped it off.

“Just some foreign painting. Not impressive at all. The golden emeralds are more valuable.”

“Mom, you should keep quiet now,” Zyu said, stepping forward.

“What? Do you actually know about this painting?”

“Valuable? This is called the Mona Lisa’s Smile. The authentic piece is in an overseas museum. It’s beyond monetary value. We’ve all been deceived by her.”

“Are you saying this painting is fake?” Jene laughed.

“How absurd. The craftsmanship is crude. Clearly a counterfeit. She dared to trick us with fakes! If this Mona Lisa’s Smile is fake, then these items must also be replicas.”

Just then, Hayan’s phone rang.

“Hello, Hansang. What did you say? The Hua family’s partnership with Blood Phoenix Consortium’s board was terminated? All right, understood.” He hung up, a vicious smile spreading across his face.

“Blood Phoenix Consortium knows why Jihaned Yinglan in identity fraud. Though a family is finished, these counterfeits were just Yi Shinglan’s ploy to stay in our household. Her main backer has fallen.

She wants our protection? In her dreams! Why are you still standing there? Smash all these fakes! They’re an eyesore! Destroy everything! And that so-called smile… Burn it too!”

“Yes, Dad! Burn it!” Jene grabbed a lighter. “Stop!” Zyu screamed.

“What are you doing?” “What do you think you’re doing?” Hansang sneered. “These were gifts from Blood Phoenix Consortium. Do you know what you’re burning? That’s a genuine Da Vinci. Mona Lisa’s Smile!”

“Still acting, sis? Genuine, please.”

“Don’t any of you dare!” Zyu cried.

“Zyu, come here,” I said, pulling her back.

“Let them burn it. They’ll be the ones losing everything. Not us. It’s on them.”

“Mom, come.” “Fine. You’ll regret this soon.” “We haven’t verified the facts yet,” Maja whispered. “What if this backfires?” “Nonsense!” Hayan roared, and Jene lit the corner of the canvas.

The priceless masterpiece caught fire. “You’ve really messed up big time,” Zyu said.

“This is an authentic masterpiece. It’s the only one in the world.”

“Enough!” Jene snapped.

“Stop pretending. It’s a fake. I’m a certified lawyer. My sister’s a top university student. How dare you suggest our judgment is worse than yours?”

“And another thing,” Hayan added, “this is Sue family property. You’re trespassing. Where’s security? Get them here now!”

“Don’t make it hard on them,” I said as the guards hesitated. “It’s not that they can’t, it’s that they’re not allowed. I’m not the one trespassing. It’s you.”

“Us?” “You’re trespassing and damaging Dragon R property. A gift for me. That’s just adding to your crimes. Sugene, aren’t you a top lawyer? Then you tell me… how many years in prison your family’s looking at.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Hayan bellowed.

“Take a good look! This is Thompson Riviera! It’s my home! See this? The owner is me, Su Hayun!” “Why don’t you check before you speak?” I replied.

“I know what you want,” he sneered.

“You want to return to the Sue family, but you’re too proud. I’ll give you one last chance. Kneel down, kowtow, and apologize to my family. Five years. After five years, you can come back to the Sue family as a servant. We’ll still take you in. You have five seconds. Five… four…”

“Sorry,” I interrupted. “You don’t get the chance. These people are trespassing. What are you waiting for? Get them.”

The guards moved. “Okay, don’t come any closer!” Jene shrieked.

“My husband’s on his way!” “Boy, Xihan can’t even protect himself,” Hayan scoffed.

“He can’t worry about you.” “In prison for five years,” I said, “I only learned one thing. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. Get out.”

“You… What do you want?” Jene stammered.

“Do you think I’m the same as five years ago? That weak, easily bullied woman?” “Spending five years in prison has made you so vicious,” Hayan said.

“This is a society of law.” “Don’t talk to me about law. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have gone in. Now you’re lecturing me about law.”

“Okay, don’t be impulsive,” Jene said.

“We sent you in so you could reform properly, not so you could do evil.”

“Reform. Zyu, show them what I learned in prison.”

Zyu pulled up a photo on her phone. It was my back, taken this morning. A grotesque canvas of scars, bruises, and cigarette burns.

“How were you changed?” Hansang whispered, horrified.

“How could this happen? No wonder you’re so bitter… they beat you up this badly inside.”

“Lin Maja,” Zyu said, “the people you hired didn’t kill my mom. Are you disappointed?” “Na, did you really hire people to bully Shinga?” Hayan asked, shocked.

“I… I told you… let her reflect in prison. That’s all. Why would you… I didn’t! She slandered me!”

“What happened before was our fault,” Hayan said, changing tactics.

“What do you want? Just say it. But the Thompson Riviera, you can’t have it.”

“Okay,” Jene said.

“In the Sue family, every holiday, there are always special programs… I say, why not have the matriarch go first?” I remembered. Flashback: “Come on, Mom. Giddy up. Ride the big horse. Hurry.”

“I say this matriarch doesn’t seem like a horse, more like a dog.”

“Speak,” I said.

“What do you want me to perform?” “Shingan, you… what are you going to do?”

“Since Su Hayun is standing up for you,” I said to Jene, “then I’ll grant him that. I’ll see how much you two really love each other.”

“Okay, Shinglan,” Hayan said, “as long as I can satisfy you, I’ll do anything.”

“This is just the first show,” I said, picking up a heavy porcelain vase that hadn’t been smashed. “It’s called ‘Everything Ruined.’”

“Ye Shingan! You’re serious! You’re insane!” Jene screamed as I smashed it at Hayan’s feet.

“Why are you dodging? You said you’d sacrifice yourself to prove how much you love me.”

“You’re trying to cut off my lineage!” he yelled as I smashed another.

“Yingan, you’re too cruel! What do you really want?” “I want all the effort of the past twenty years. Return to me. Can you afford that?”

“Yinglan, this is wrong of you!” Hansang shouted.

“You partnered with the Ho family and stole my queen title. You think Blood Phoenix Group is a joke? Blood Phoenix Group has dismissed the Hua family. You’re next! Soon. Blood Phoenix Group board member will arrive.”

“Dismissed the Hua family?” Zyu whispered to me.

“Mom, what’s going on?”

“Don’t worry,” I said.

“I authorized it. But when the time comes, the Hua family will thank you.”

“Blood Phoenix Group board member… Director D is here!” a guard announced. A large, terrifying man with a shaved head and a long scar down his face walked in. This was Dishing. The Dragon of Jing Hai.

“Huh? How did this happen?” Dishing bellowed.

“Who? Who did this? You’re a director of Blood Phoenix Corp. I’m asking… who smashed it!”

“I did,” Jene said smugly.

“But… no butts. You can’t just hit people.”

“Hit people?” Dishing roared.

“I’d like to tear you trash to pieces! Rip you to shreds!”

“What? You want some, too?” Jene said, not recognizing him.

“I get it. You’re your hired help, right? You’re trying to get our attention. This face. I smashed it. What are you going to do about it? Hit me if you dare.”

“So, you want some, too, bastard?” Dishing slapped her so hard she flew across the room.

“Bastard! Do you know what you’re doing? Can you handle the consequences?”

“Consequences? I’ll tell you what. I am the consequence. What do you take Blood Phoenix for? The name of Blood Phoenix cannot be tarnished. The three directors, each of us, crawled out of piles of corpses. Each of us can shake Jing Hai.”

“Someone tell everyone… surround their house. Without my order. Don’t let anyone out.”

“Yes, sir!” “What do you mean… trying to scare me? Bastard. Picking a fight in the wrong place. Do you know who I am?” Hayan said.

“I don’t care who you are. If you offend Dishan, you’ll wish you were dead.”

“What? You… You’re Dishing? You… You’re a Blood Phoenix director… rose from the streets by killing… Jinghai’s last big boss. Durisham… boss Du.”

“That’s right,” Dishing snarled.

“It’s me. In prison, I reformed. Blood Phoenix Corp. gave me a second life. I, Dishan, vow to work for Blood Phoenix for life. And now… you smashed the gift I gave to the queen. Tell me, do you deserve to die?”

“President Du! Don’t be rash!” Hayan fell to his knees.

“We did this for a reason. We didn’t know these were your gifts to the queen. I apologize! Blame her! It’s Yexingland! She broke into our villa and hit people. Took over our home. Blame her!”

“Right! Yes! This is our home! Even if you’re a director, you need to be reasonable. These gifts, we thought they were fakes. So, she’s the real culprit.”

“You said this is your villa,” Dishing said. “You said she’s the one to blame.”

“Yeah. This is Yi Shingan’s villa, a gift for our family. We’ve lived here for years.”

“Lived here for years, so it’s yours now,” Dishing said.

“So, this air I’ve breathed for decades. Is that mine, too?”

“You can’t say that, director. Do… Open your eyes and see whose name is on this villa. Whose name is it?”

Dishing snapped his fingers. A guard brought the property deed.

“Ye Shinglan.” “This… This can’t be happening,” Jene whispered.

“Y Zyro, did you buy the house and transfer it?”

“Even now, you still don’t get it,” I said.

“You’re a bunch of idiots. See clearly now. This villa… who is the real owner? Who is the interloper?”

“The owner of Thompson Riviera is Yinglan,” Dishing announced.

“You broke into Mrs. Y’s house and damaged the gifts I gave her. That’s breaking and entering. Even if I beat you all to death, it’d be self-defense. Any more questions? If not, I’m going to start fighting.”

“Wait!” Maja screamed. “Director Du! I think you know who I am, right? The Blood Phoenix group’s queen title was given to me. I think there must be some sort of misunderstanding. Give me some face, please.”

“Give you face?” Dishing laughed.

“Who do you think you are? Are you kidding me?”

“I am the queen of Jinghai!” “Queen of Jinghai? You?” He slapped her.

“You take a look in the mirror… you don’t fit the part. Bastard.”

“You slapped me twice! I’m reporting you to the group!”

“Good,” Dishing said.

“Go ahead and complain. But you’re wrong about one thing.” He slapped her again.

“It wasn’t two slaps. It was three slaps.”

“Okay! Okay! We give in!” Hayan screamed.

“We’ll pay! We’ll pay!”

“Honey, shut up!” Maja hissed.

“Director D. We’ll pay. But I have a condition. If we pay, can you tell me… who the real queen of Ying Hai is? We can’t pay without knowing why.”

“Fine,” Dishing said.

“I’ll tell you. Let’s see. How much is all this worth? This Donghai Pearl is worth a fortune. You pay. This Imperial porcelain vase… 5 million. You pay for that, too. Just the valuable stuff is over 20 million. And this… Mona Lisa’s Smile. The Blood Phoenix Group… specially brought it back. The annual rent is over 10 million. You burned it. You pay. Are you going to pay with your life?”

“I told you not to be impulsive,” Hayan whispered to Jene.

“If we sold the Sue family, we still couldn’t pay.”

“Okay. Can’t pay? Then you don’t need to know who the real queen of Jing Hai is.”

“Wait!” Hansang suddenly shouted, pointing at me.

“Shingan… had enough watching. If you don’t do something, the entire Sue family is finished. Okay, Mom. You’re my real mom now. To get our family’s attention, you’ll really do anything. Scheming.”

“So,” Jene caught on, “so you backed us into a corner, intervening at the crucial moment, making us grateful, then you can win the genuine hearts of the Sue family. We’ve seen through your plan.”

“Ye Shing Lan,” Hayan said, “hurry and explain to director D and transfer the villa to my name. Or don’t enter the Sue family’s door. The three daughters won’t call you mom. I don’t have a wife like you.”

“Su Hayen,” I said, “can’t you look in a mirror and see yourself? What makes you think I still care… or care about them? In my eyes now, you’re not even worth a dog.”

“You… fine. Ye Shingan,” he said, his eyes glinting.

“Haven’t you always wanted a child of our own? As long as you take the blame, I promise you… I’ll give you one. With the Sue family seed. It’s your honor in this life.” He actually thought…

“Did you hear that?” he asked his daughters.

“Can’t help yourself. Can’t stop laughing. I knew she’d agree.”

“Su Hayen,” I said, “even the marriage certificate is fake… and you want me to have your child. Su Hayan, where does your confidence come from? You old piece of jerky. I feel disgusted just looking at you.”

“Yinglan,” Hansang said, “if you continue like this, you’ll really lose us.”

“Losing you all… only taking and never giving back… is luck. The greatest luck of my life. Stop talking and pay up. Get out of the villa. Me and the Sue family… from now on… are cut off.”

“Pay up! Get out!” Dishing roared.

“Director Du… we don’t have that much money.”

“Okay. Then take all the Sue family’s cash flow and transfer it to the Blood Phoenix group’s account.”

“Director D,” Hayan said, handing over a card, “this card has 700 million. It belongs to the Sue family. All the cash flow.”

“Okay,” Dishing said, taking it.

“Get out.”

They were thrown out. Bankrupt. “Director Doo,” Hayan said from the lawn, “now we can finally say… the queen of Jinghai. Who is she?”

“Okay,” Dishing said.

“Telling you won’t hurt. The queen of Jing Hai… is the new chairwoman of Blood Phoenix Group. A woman who spent five years in prison. A woman who inherited Blood Phoenix’s will. A woman who sacrificed for her family but was hurt beyond repair. A woman whose peak began upon release. A woman who returned as a queen.”

“Spent time in prison… sacrificed for family… returned as a queen…” Jene muttered, staring at me.

“What are you thinking about?” Hansang snapped. “How could she be the new chairwoman? Let’s go.”

They retreated to the only place they had left. The crumbling old family house they hadn’t lived in for decades. The place I had been forced to live in.

“Dad, how long has it been since anyone lived here?” Jene coughed. “How can we live here? It’s like a dog house.”

“All right. No one is allowed to stay at a hotel. We’re staying in the old house… so you can experience what it means to appreciate the past.”

“Third sister,” Hansang asked, “why have you been so absent-minded today?”

“Nothing,” Zeun said. “I was just thinking… have we been wrong all along? After all, auntie hasn’t done anything to us. But we…”

“What are you talking about? Aren’t we doing this for the family?”

“Come and look at this,” Zeun said, pulling an old blanket from a cot.

“How could someone have lived here? Aren’t these… auntie’s bedding?”

“Mom,” Jene said to Maja, “didn’t you say she lived in the villa all along? When did she move back to this broken house?”

“I… I didn’t I tell you all about it? Besides, you all agreed.”

“Honey, I think I’m sick,” Maja coughed. “Will you take me to the hospital?”

“Madam,” the old housekeeper said, “the mistress is ill. Hope it’s not contagious… You should stay somewhere else. When you’re better, you can come back.”

“You call this a dog house,” Jene said, “you won’t live here, but you let her.”

Zeun found my old camcorder.

“Mom… she used it to record us growing up.” She pressed play. My voice filled the dusty room.

“Zun, it’s okay. You didn’t do well this time, but there’s always next time. Mom will always be with you… studying together.”

“I don’t need that! Get out! Now the whole school knows I’m dating. Everyone’s laughing at me! I don’t want to live anymore!” The next clip.

“Zian tried to kill herself today. She jumped into the lake. After taking her to the hospital, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It’s my fault. As her mother, I didn’t do well enough. From today on, I’ll be with her every step of the way.” The next clip.

“Zun, the college entrance exam is coming. My trial is also coming up. I don’t know if I’ll be acquitted, but I want to tell you, eldest, second, youngest… mom will always love you.” Zeun was sobbing.

“Mom… I just remembered now. You’ve always been so good to me.” Another clip.

“Today is the second big law exam. From today on, I’ll pray for her every day. From the bottom of the mountain, I’ll kneel all the way to the top. I wanted to take her to the exam, but she saw my bloody knees… and she was disgusted. But I don’t blame her. A mother, if you expect something in return, how is that different from a transaction?”

“I… I really didn’t know it would be like this,” Jene whispered, tears streaming down her face.

“So touched by a DV tape?” Maja sneered.

“What? Decent family records. Everything on video. It’s obviously fake. Staged.”

“Easy for you to say,” Jene shot back.

“I just want to ask you one thing. When auntie took care of us growing up… where were you?”

“Don’t forget,” Hansang said, her face hard, “she’s the one who took care of us, but she’s also the one who brought the Sue family to ruin. Even if we owe her… it’s all been repaid.”

“Honang,” Hayan said, “you’re back. What’s the situation?”

“Tomorrow is the day of the Blood Phoenix Group chairman’s inauguration ceremony. I bet the entire Sue corporation to get an admission ticket. As long as we… at the ceremony… expose what Yinglan has done. I believe the Blood Phoenix Consortium will give us an explanation.”

“Well done,” Hayan said.

“I almost felt sorry for Yinglan. It’s too late for her now.”

“By the way, Dad,” Zeun said, “that day… I saw Dishing kneeling to Auntie. He also mentioned something about Blood Phoenix.”

“Even now, you’re still covering for her!” Hansang snapped.

“She’s not the auntie she used to be.”

“But… the most important thing now is how we can… expose what Yinglan has done.”

“You think I’ve been wasting my time all these years?” Maja said.

“Leave it. But this job requires money.”

“I’m still in school. There’s only 10,000,” Zeun said.

“I have 200,000,” Jene said. “I have 800,000,” Hansang said.

“Mom, this is all the money the Sue family has,” Hayan said.

“Don’t worry,” Maja smiled. “Leave it. No problem.”

That night, Maja met a man named Leila.

“Brother who? You have to help me. In this card, there’s 200,000. After it’s done, all the money is yours. But this person is a bit strong. You need to bring more people.”

“Are you trying to brush me off?”

“How about this? My third daughter is in her prime. After it’s done, I’ll let you play with her for a week.”

“Lin Magel, you’re really ruthless. Okay, deal.”

The kidnappers broke into my villa. I was waiting.

“No need to trouble yourself,” I said from the top of the stairs.

“I’m here.” “Yan. That’s right. Someone offered 200,000 to kidnap you.”

“200,000. This person doesn’t know me well. Enough talk. Go.” They charged. They were amateurs. Neil and my guards dispatched them in seconds.

“You… your blood Phoenix,” Leila stammered. “Let me guess. Lin Maja sent you, right?”

“Yes! It’s her! Great blood Phoenix! Spare my life! I’ll tell you everything! She told me to kidnap you at tomorrow’s blood Phoenix group succession ceremony. She wants to expose you.”

“Looks like the Sue family still hasn’t learned its lesson,” I said.

“Oh, right. I know everything about her. She sleeps around…”

“Don’t worry,” I said. “I won’t kill you. I need you to do something for me.”

“W… what thing?” “Go with the flow.”

The next day. The Blood Phoenix Group Inauguration Ceremony. I was dragged onto the stage by Leila’s men, just as Maja had planned. The room was filled with reporters. “Yinglan,” Maja sneered.

“Didn’t expect this, huh?”

“I didn’t expect… I didn’t expect you all to be so despicable, so foolish. I want to see how you plan to destroy yourselves.”

“Destroy ourselves? You’re the one destroying yourself. Our Sue family was doing fine. And so was my mom. The queen of Jing Hai was set in stone. All because of you, the ex-con.” “Yinglan,” Hayan said, “you know very well that the child is mine. Why did you steal my husband? Steal my child?”

“Stealing your husband and child. Was I blind?”

“Stop acting,” Maja yelled to the reporters.

“You’re just a morally corrupt piece of trash! I think if your actions were all exposed, even if someone backs you up, the Blood Phoenix group can’t be impartial, right?”

“What do you want?” I asked.

“In front of the media, kneel down and admit what you’ve done. Let me become again the darling of the Blood Phoenix group. Let my Sue family recover its former glory.”

“Now that things are like this,” I said, “do you think there’s any chance of forgiveness?”

“Yinglan,” Zeun said, “we’ve seen the videos from the old house. We’re thinking of our past relationship. I was giving you a chance to confess.”

“Confess… because you care about me,” I said.

“Because you care… you got people to tie me up and bring me here. Because you care… you got so many reporters to expose me. A good exposure, huh? Then I’ll expose you, too.”

“Expose us? We’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Su Honuang,” I said to the eldest daughter.

“For the last five years, you’ve been evading taxes. Half of the money you transferred to Lin Maja’s account. The other half… you transferred to your own name to purchase luxury cars, houses, goods. Am I right?”

“You’re talking nonsense!”

“Am I?” I snapped my fingers. Neil handed a thick file to the reporters.

“Even every expense can be found. This is impossible,” she whispered.

“Miss Sue,” a reporter asked, “did this happen or not?”

“I’m a lawyer! Get out of my way or I’ll sue you!”

“A lawyer?” I looked at Jene.

“I’m a top lawyer. What do you mean by that?”

“You think I don’t have dirt on you? March 8th. Help the defendant transfer assets illegally… $500,000. May 6th… colluded with a client to destroy evidence. July 28th…”

“Enough! Stop talking!”

“What’s going on? Is this all true?”

“Oh my god. Su Honuang and Suene… they’re known as successful women.”

“Honang, is what she said true?” Hayan demanded. “It’s all mom’s fault!” Hansang shrieked, pointing at Maja.

“Ever since mom came into our family, spending has increased daily! At first, it was $100,000 a month, then $1 million, and finally spending reached $5 million a month! Even sis can’t afford that!”

“I had no choice!” Jene cried.

“No… it’s not like that, honey,” Maja stammered.

“You… you spendthrift!” Hayan roared.

“You were eating it all up! $5 million a month!”

“There’s one more thing,” I said.

“Leila’s recording. Su Zeun… want to hear it?” I played the audio from last night. “…My third daughter is in her prime. After it’s done, I’ll let you play with her for a week.”

“What?” Zeun looked at Maja, horrified. “200,000? We gave you 1 million. Mom… you’d let someone else defile me.”

“No! No! Yinglan, you’re too cunning!”

“Yinglan, you’re ruthless!” Hayan yelled.

“Even if we’re ruined, so what? I’ve contacted the Hua family. Master Hua, he’ll be here soon.”

“Master Hua is here!” someone shouted. The old man, Xi Hong’s grandfather, walked in.

“Master Hua, you’re finally here,” Hayan said, rushing over.

“Yes. The BFC chairman inauguration ceremony.”

“Yes, but the Hua family situation today is all because of Yizu’s mother. This convict Yinglan.”

“Correct,” Master Hua said. “It’s all because of Madame Yei.”

“Good. Then hurry up. Make Yizu get out of the Hua family. Put her and her mother on the blacklist!”

“I’ve seen ungrateful people,” Master Hua said, “but never seen such beasts like you. You think the Hua family is like your Sue family? Blind and ignorant. Since I married Zyu, her mother is my family… Our whole family would never do what your Sue family did.”

“I didn’t expect it, Nishing. Even Master Hua was deceived by your sweet talk. Then we’ll wait for the Blood Phoenix group’s executives. See who gets the last lap.”

“Blood Phoenix Group. Three board members have arrived.” Dishing and two other directors walked in. “It’s those Sue family members again,” Dishing growled.

“You dare show your faces here?”

“Dishing,” Maja said, “you’re helping Yishian so much. I couldn’t figure it out… Yan, she wouldn’t be your old flame, would she?”

“What did you say?” Dishing roared.

“How dare you insult her!”

“Stop pretending!” Hayan yelled.

“Dishing pulled a switch, rigging the Empress selection, and colluded with the whole family, attempting to control Blood Phoenix!”

“So, you’re saying only the Sue family is loyal to Blood Phoenix?” Dishing asked.

“Yes! The Sue family donated most of their wealth to join the Blood Phoenix group!”

“How utterly ridiculous,” Dishing said.

“Originally, the Sue family could have had Blood Phoenix without lifting a finger, but now… you have no chance.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you get it? Because you’ve offended the one person you shouldn’t have.”

“You’re not going to say it’s Yishing again, are you?”

“That’s right.”

“Crazy! You’re all crazy! I don’t believe it. I want to see Blood Phoenix Group’s new chairman!”

“It’s about time,” Dishing said, looking at his watch.

“The chairman handover ceremony officially begins now. Please welcome the chairman of Blood Phoenix Group.” The lights dimmed. A spotlight hit the podium. I untied my own ropes, stood up, and walked to the podium. Dishing handed me the appointment letter. I signed it. “The Blood Phoenix Group’s board welcomes the chairman’s return!” the three directors and Master Hua shouted, bowing.

“This… How is this possible?” Hayan whispered.

“She’s actually the chairman of Blood Phoenix.”

“Latest statistics show Blood Phoenix Group’s market value has exceeded 1 trillion.” “Yishing… she’s become a business empress.”

“I was wrong. Terribly wrong. We even wanted to expose her. In the end, we’re the biggest joke.”

“So, from the birthday banquet, she hasn’t lied. Everything she said was true. And we… have been like clowns all along.”

“Shing Lan!” Hayan ran to the stage and knelt.

“Give me another chance. We’re family. I won’t be presumptuous again. The Sue family will cherish you.”

“Kids, come here!”

“Mom,” Hansang knelt.

“We know we were wrong. I’m willing to start from the bottom… and help you solve problems.”

“Mom,” Jene knelt.

“I’m willing to handle the legal affairs for free… to atone for my past mistakes.”

“Mom,” Zeun knelt.

“I knew how wrong we were when I saw the tape. I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I hope you can give us three sisters a chance to make amends.”

“You people,” I said, “only Suzian has some self-awareness. If you want my forgiveness, three words for you. Not a chance.”

“Why? Tell me why. We can start over.”

“Because you’re filthy.”

“Filthy? Mom, what are you talking about?”

“Seems you know nothing about Lin Maja.” I motioned to Neil. He put a medical report on the projector.

“Guards, see for yourselves. This woman is too vile to look at. Only fools like you would treasure her. Lin Maja is diagnosed with multiple contagious diseases, including herpes, HPV, and HIV.”

“What?” Hayan’s face went ash-gray.

“HIV?” “Hansang. I…”

“Don’t touch me!” Hansang screamed at Maja.

“Lin Maya,” I said, “for ten years, she’s been with countless men, sleeping around, spent millions yearly on toy boys.”

“Lin Maya!” Hayan choked.

“You’ll destroy our family.”

“Mom,” Jene said to Maja, “you’re our birth mother. How could you do this?”

“I was stupid,” Hansang wept.

“So utterly foolish. The Sue family’s downfall is all your fault.”

The police from the banquet walked in.

“Su Han Wang and Su Jene. You’re under arrest for criminal activities.”

“Officers, they were deceived!” Hayan pleaded. “I’m the culprit. Take me instead.”

“Dad,” Jene said, “we misjudged her. Fell for Lin Maja’s lies. This outcome is what we deserve. Little sister… take care of our parents.”

“Lin Majou!” Hansang screamed as she was cuffed.

“This is all your fault! I’ll haunt you forever!”

“Dad,” Zeun said, “don’t touch… Dad, what’s wrong?” Hayan collapsed, his skin covered in lesions. “I’ve been infected… by that woman. Lin Maga. I hate you. Hate you.”

“Shingan,” he gasped, “in this life, next life, I’ll repay my debts. Work like a beast for you.” “Mom,” Zeun begged me, “dad needs treatment money.”

“I have no money left!” Maja shrieked. “The Sue family is finished!”

“Mom!” Zeun yelled at Maja.

“Both my sisters have been arrested. Dad’s in this state now. This is all your fault! And you? You’re perfectly fine! Why aren’t you the sick one? I wish it were you lying in that hospital bed!”

“Don’t forget… I’m your mother,” Maja sneered.

“I’m not done enjoying life yet. Why get sick? Blame your father’s poor health.”

“You… you’re utterly shameless!” Zeun ran at her, but Maja shoved her. Zeun fell hard, hitting her head on the stage.

“Yinglan!” Maja shrieked at me. “I’ll make you die…”

Zeun knelt outside my office for a full day. “Enough,” I told Neil.

“Give her the Rolls-Royce. Consider it my final transaction with the Sue family.”

“She still refuses to see you,” Neil told Zeun.

“Take the car, sell it for cash. As for Su Hayun, his fate’s in his own hands.”

“Thank you,” Zeun whispered.

“Thank you, Mom. If there’s another life, I’d still choose you as my mother.”

As Zeun left, Maja, who had been hiding, jumped out.

“Yinglan! You destroyed my family. You ruined us completely. I want you dead!” She ran at me, but Zyu stepped in front.

“Zeun! Why are you in Yishiman’s car?” Maja screamed, running after Zeun’s car.

“Mom, save me!” Zeun yelled. Maja got in her own car and rammed the Rolls-Royce at full speed.

“Miss Lynn,” a nurse called from the hospital, “your husband’s dying. Come to the hospital now.”

“I’ll check on your father first,” Maja muttered, fleeing the scene of the crash.

I went to the hospital. Hayan was already gone. “Doctor, I’m Su Hayen’s family. How’s my husband?” Maja asked, running in.

“Your husband has acute AIDS causing multiorgan failure. No timely treatment was administered. I’m sorry.”

“How is this possible? Are you sure about this? I’m perfectly fine here.”

“Maybe this is what they call… the wicked thrive for ages,” I said from the doorway.

“Yinglan! How dare you show your face here? You caused the Sue family’s downfall! I’ll make you pay for this!” The police entered behind me.

“Lin Maja. You crashed into Su Xi Yun, hospitalizing her and leaving her permanently disabled, then fled the scene. With conclusive evidence now, we’re placing you under arrest.” “Su Hayun is dead. Sujene and Su Hansang are in prison. Suzun’s disabled for life. Yinglan, is this your grand plan? I’ll fight you to the death!”

“Take her away,” the officer said.

“I won’t let you get away with this, Yingan!” she screamed. “You framed me for that hit and run before. Now you’re going to prison for the same crime.”

“That’s what we call karma,” I said.

“Poetic justice, isn’t it?” I held up the razor they had tried to give me.

“This was your gift to me back then.” I threw it at her feet.

“From now on, we go our separate ways. Forever.”

I walked out of the hospital, past the room where Hayan’s body lay.

“Are you the patient’s family?” a nurse asked me.

“No,” I said, not looking back.

“Wrong room.”